Originally posted by cruzion
Atheists are atheists because of lack of proof.
The religious are usually religious because that is what they are taught.
They aren't similar at all.
As would a dyed in the wool atheist say. My advice to you is simple really, take objective look from the outside.
Originally posted by cruzion
Almost all atheists BECOME atheists, through their own reasoning. There will be some that are indoctrinated, because of peers and parents, but on the whole, it is individualistic. The odd thing is, most atheists I know became atheists after they were religious, so that would uphold the theory most atheists aren't indoctrinated.
The standard approach I have seen is one that is generally called "victim's mentality". I would like to note this does not include every member of the group we are speaking of, I am speaking from my frame of reference and those I have known. But I have seen a disproportionately large amount of individuals that have either 1) been given crap by so called "religious" kids so much that they end up lashing out at the concept the "religious" kids ape that they are, 2) had some pretty heinous crap happen to them growing up and blame "God" and then the very idea of a "God", the basic "Why would "God" allow suffering?" argument. But that is neither here nor there. And of course both options have the person only looking at the negative and only allowing the negative effect their opinion, which is of course a psychological thing.
Originally posted by cruzion
Now, the few people that I know that became religious later on in life, did so because of some trauma to them or someone they loved. And in all cases, they were councelled by someone religious. Typically, they were at a low point, and probably vunerable. Yes, they had a need, but they could have been comforted without directing them to a faith.
I can't imagine an atheist comforting someone, and then egging them into atheism.
And I have. We would just have to agree to disagree eh?
And I am just speaking my piece I do not mean this as an attack and nor am I trying to change your views but naturally a member of a group would of course look at it in the best light while looking at that group's "enemies" in the worst.
[edit on 20-12-2008 by Watcher-In-The-Shadows]


